ISC West: What You Need to Know for the Show

The preeminent tradeshow for installing and monitoring security providers, ISC West is back for another round in Las Vegas. To help attendees prepare for this exciting event, SSI offers a concise overview of what individuals can expect from this year’s show.

Many undoubtedly take the slogan, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” to heart. But come April 10-12, it will be hard to keep 23,000+ security dealers, consultants, manufacturers, distributors, central stations and other industry specialists from discussing the latest technologies they’ve seen at the 2013 International Security Conference (ISC) West.

Held at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, the 45th annual ISC West, hosted by Reed Exhibitions and sponsored by the Security Industry Association (SIA), provides the largest electronic physical security space in North America. For first-timers — and even regular attendees — that might seem overwhelming, especially when thinking of putting together a show schedule. However, the event organizers offer two online tools to help participants navigate the show floor, with the ISC Mobile app for Web-enabled cellphones and tablets and the “My Show Planner.” Each resource allows users to search for exhibitors, view floor plans, review educational sessions and build show agendas.

Certainly, a big part of the trade show is networking opportunities, and what better place to meet and greet with industry colleagues than at SSI’s SAMMY Awards (for listing of this year’s finalists, click here)? Those looking to relax before hitting the massive show floor, which will boast more than 1,000 exhibitors, can hit the links for the Alarm Industry Research and Education Foundation’s (AIREF) annual golf tournament the day before the big event (for more on AIREF, see this month’s “Between Us Pros”). SIA will also conduct its annual New Product Showcase (NPS), honoring the most innovative product introductions, for all the technology buffs on the show floor.

Many attendees will also look forward to the State of the Industry address, “What Will It Take to Be a 2020 Security Leader?” And, this being the entertainment capital of the world, no doubt show-goers want to see the numerous sights and attractions on the Las Vegas Strip.

Phew, that’s a lot to take in — and we have not even begun to discuss all of the education tracks, social mixers and more ISC West will also offer! Keep reading to find out what attendees can expect from one of the electronic security industry’s favorite and most important events, one that typically sets the business tenor for the rest of the year.

Educating the Masses

This year, show coordinators have retitled the name of its three-day education series as SIA Education @ ISC West. Held April 9-11, the program features multiple tracks designed to help attendees choose which sessions best fit their needs. Show planners have also adjusted the education schedule to make sure that participants have enough time to visit the exhibit floor, while not missing any courses offered.

On the first day of the series, attendees can still expect fan favorite IP-T.A.C.² Bootcamp (IP Technology Advancement Center and Certificate), a one-day comprehensive training on IP/IT surveillance and technical standards. PSA-TEC @ ISC will also be back and will feature five sessions, focusing on general sales training, physical security information management (PSIM), virtual guard services and video surveillance. SSI “Convergence Channel” columnist Paul Boucherle will also moderate the “Leadership at all Levels: Integrator-Proven Practices to Increase Professionalism and Profitability” panel, explaining how effective leadership within the organization drives success for the company.

As in previous years, SIA Education @ ISC West will offer two education tracks for dealers and installers — Business and Technology. Aimed to help electronic security contractors expand their operations, the business seminars offer ways to improve sales, marketing and boost recurring monthly revenue (RMR). For business leaders seeking to learn how to create effective and manageable prospecting plans for each member of their sales team, “Put the ‘Love’ into Sales Prospecting” session might be a good course to take.

In the technology track, dealers and installers will review new strategies for effectively implementing the latest technologies. Topics include enterprise mobile duress, vehicle security systems, megapixel surveillance and building information modeling.

The Partnership for Priority Video Alarm Response (PPVAR) will host a session on April 10 detailing how priority video alarm response will increase the rates of arrests and apprehensions of intruders. On April 11, SSI Editor-in-Chief Scott Goldfine will moderate the Open Network Video Interface Forum’s (ONVIF) panel discussion that will address standards initiatives in the market and their impacts, end-user and installer experiences, and more. Panelists include Axis Communications’ Steve Surfaro, SIA’s Jeff Slotnick and ONVIF Steering Committee Chairman Per Björkdahl (for an exclusive interview with him and more on ONVIF, see this month’s Hot Seat on page 20).

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